Recalls for 2005 Saturn Relay

DEFECT #1 - PARKING BRAKE

Posted on: 2005-06-20
Description
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.  135, 'passenger car brake systems.' to meet the standard, the vehicle must not move for five minutes when stopped on a steep hill with the parking brake applied and the vehicle in neutral (n).  Some of these vehicles failed this test.

Consequence
When the parking brake is released, the driver may notice unintended braking when accelerating, decelerating, or coasting, and a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle.  Unintended vehicle movement could occur increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action
Dealers will inspect for parking brake lever slippage at each rear brake caliper and replace the caliper if lever slippage is identified.  The recall began on november 14, 2005.  Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or saturn at 1-800-972-8876.  

Notes
Gm recall no.  05059.  Customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

DEFECT #2 - SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Posted on: 2005-02-18
Description
On certain minivans, the outboard release handle on the impact-side second-row bucket seat may be actuated and the rear latches may unlatch early in a side impact crash.  This was discovered in a side impact test run by gm, under conditions similar to nhtsa's new car assessment program (ncap) side impact test.

Consequence
If the rear latches of the seat release early in a severe side impact, the front outboard latch may disengage and increase the potential for injury to the occupant of the seat.

Corrective Action
Dealers will remove the seat latch release handle and install a black plastic cap over the exposed metal stud to eliminate the side impact safety concern free of charge.  The recall began on april 5, 2005.  Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

Notes
Gm recall no.  05015.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

DEFECT #3 - STEERING

Posted on: 2009-02-17
Description
Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos.  697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's oe solutions^tm brand name, and napa p/nos.  7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above.  A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area.

Consequence
A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.

Corrective Action
Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor.  The recall began on february 23, 2009.  Owners may contact dorman's toll-free hotline at 1-800-523-2492 and press 5.

Notes
This recall only pertains to aftermarket dorman steering knuckles and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles manufactured by general motors corporation.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.